As the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period approaches, Shanghai's Putuo district is poised for a significant economic transformation, focusing on the ecosystem development for bulk commodity trade.

With over three decades of growth, Putuo has become a hub for non-ferrous metal spot trading, attracting logistics, futures and banking enterprises.

According to the latest plan of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone for the construction of the second batch of its linked innovation zones, the Putuo zone will emphasize the building of industry-leading supply chain service platforms and the advancement of digital transformation.

This initiative supports platforms like the Putuo-based Shanghai Non-ferrous Metal Trading Center to improve the "industrial chain + platform" model, establishing a dominant platform in the sector.

Putuo's annual commodity sales exceed 2 trillion yuan ($280 billion) for many years, ranking second in Shanghai. Bulk commodity trade accounts for about 80 percent of this total, with non-ferrous metals making up about 75 percent of the bulk trade volume.

Amid economic restructuring and accelerated digitalization, Putuo is focusing on creating a premier digital service platform cluster for the non-ferrous metals sector.

In April this year, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce unveiled a three-year action plan (2025-27), aiming to make the city's bulk commodity trade exceed 10 trillion yuan by 2027 and enhance the global influence of "Shanghai pricing" for non-ferrous metals.

The 30-story Shanghai Materials Trading Building, a landmark of bulk commodity trading headquarters in Putuo, hosts over 500 enterprises, with 94 percent engaged in the non-ferrous metal trade. The Shanghai Non-ferrous Metals Trading Center, established in the building in 2013, has become a pivotal venue for both domestic and international trading.

Source: Official WeChat account of Shanghai Putuo Media Center at "shputuo"